cout2json

Cout2json is a utility that generates JSON structures from cout output. In a program, you construct the JSON object by printing key values in the terminal.

Example:

printf ";key:value" | cout2json # give {"key":"value"}
printf ";key1:value1\n;key2:value2" | cout2json # give {"key1":"value1","key2":"value2"} 
printf ";a.b.c:value" | cout2json # give {"a":{"b":{"c":"value"}}}

The output can be piped to tools like jq to further process the output.

printf ";key1.b:1\n;key2.d:2" | cout2json | jq ".key2" -c # give {"d":2}

Use Cases

• Instrument a library with minimal code alteration, primarily relying on printing to cout.
• Given that the JSON structure is constructed externally to the program, dictionary keys can be universally utilized throughout the code. Cout2json is responsible for generating a cohesive structure.
• Applicable to microcontrollers capable of serial printing. Eliminates the necessity of managing JSON structures within the microcontroller.

Install

cargo install cout2json

Features

Automatically build nested structure when key is separated by a period.

printf ";key1.key2:1" | cout2json               # give {"key1":{"key2":1}}
printf ";key1.key2.key3:1" | cout2json          # give {"key1":{"key2":{"key3":1}}}
printf ";key1.key2:1\n;key1.key3:2" | cout2json # give {"key1":{"key2":1,"key3":2}}

Automatically interpret values as integers, floats, or strings.

printf ";key:1" | cout2json     # give {"key":1}
printf ";key:1.0" | cout2json   # give {"key":1.0}
printf ";key:a" | cout2json     # give {"key":"a"}

Automatically build array when same key is repeated.

printf ";key:1\n;key:2" | cout2json       # give {"key":[1,2]}
printf ";key.a:1\n;key.b:2" | cout2json   # give {"key":{"a":1,"b":2}}